**Runes Protocol Resurgence Boosts Bitcoin Transaction Fees**

Bitcoin has experienced a significant increase in transaction fees due to a resurgence in activity on the Runes Protocol, which launched during Bitcoin's fourth halving event. Recent data from IntoTheBlock indicates that Bitcoin Runes transfers have tripled since August, leading to a 32% spike in transaction fees this week, the highest since August.

This surge in fees highlights a growing demand for block space, benefiting Bitcoin miners who earned $5 million in transaction fees over the past week. Decentralized capital markets protocol Alkimiya reported that Runes transfers now occupy over 50% of Bitcoin’s block space, driving a notable increase in fees.

The Runes protocol, created by Casey Rodarmor, aims to enhance on-chain activity and improve upon the BRC-20 standard. Despite an initial decline in activity post-launch, Runes has maintained steady usage and recently surpassed 50 million inscriptions. This renewed interest underscores the protocol's potential to sustain long-term growth in the Bitcoin ecosystem.